I’m listening to the Diane Rehm show today and the discussion that guest host Indira Lakshmanan held with her four panelist. (See their bios and credits below).

It’s a good discussion on how we can live with less, if we want to. All four panelist agree that big houses full of belongings does not guarantee happiness or joy to living; rather it was shared, it can bring stress of upkeep and compulsion to fill space and buy more. Inwardly or outwardly we can fall into competition on who has more stuff and create that sense of feeling of “I’ll be happy when I have that new couch, that new bike, that new…you fill in the blank.” Does it really bring happiness?

In the Diane Rehm discussion today, Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn share their stories on how they decided to let go of homes  filled to the brim with great things and seek out a minimalist lifestyle.  They have collaborated on books, a documentary and a movement that they call ‘The Minimalist’. Interesting testimonials to having more with less.

Is minimalism and downsizing the right thing for all of us? Does this promise of a feeling of “freedom” from belongings really happen? Are we allowed to own expensive articles of clothing, furniture, athletic gear or are we supposed to be misers as well as minimalist? Are the two synonymous or independent of each other? Is there a psychological link to being able to let go of possessions and still feel that you have power in your life and power in your community? The four panelist are lead through some of these questions by Indira, as they work to share their ideas on the concept.

All of the authors that I have read on minimalism and letting go of possessions speak of their joy and passion for people and shared moments within their community; and how their passion for people has increased as their possessions decrease.  They speak of their wealth as being found in friends and fellowship and stored memories of time spent together. They speak of having more time to spend authentically with people, rather than shopping and buying and pursuing products. And each writer on the subject has stated that their pocket books are happier too, with less money being spent on “stuff”.

This broadcast came at a perfect time for me as I’m reading the 2012 book, Garbology, Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash, by author Edward Humes. While Humes was not mentioned during the panel discussion, his concept that Americans are such conspicuous consumers because we have been trained that way through the media echoed the sentiments of panelist Juliet Schor who said  …”[Americans] are not materialistic enough, [because] everything we buy is so disposable.” From the Baby Boomer generation to todays toddlers, we have been taught to buy and throw away and then buy more. The Minimalism Movement wants to counteract that intuitive reaction and retrain our thinking and I’d have to say, I’m in agreement. Move away from disposable. Purchase quality that will last and realize that much of what we own is filler.

In Garbology, Humes interviews and shares insight into the life and family of Bea Johnson, an artist, a mother and wife living in California. Johnson’s move to minimalism came through a slow process and realization that she and her family of four were happier with less, in a smaller home than she had ever dreamed.  Chapter 12, “Put-Downs, Pickups and the Power of No”, in Garbology, gives a quick snapshot of how far Bea’s family has come on their goal to become conscientious consumers, citizens and minimalist.

Great discussion today and good food for thought.  Here is the link to the show: Diane Rehm, The Lure of Minimalism

Guest Panelist:

• Joshua Fields Millburn bestselling author, writing instructor, and international speaker; best known as one half of The Minimalists with Ryan Nicodemus; their new film is called “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things”
• Ryan Nicodemus bestselling author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Minimalists with Joshua Fields Millburn; their new film is called “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things”
• Juliet Schor author of “The Overworked American” and “The Overspent American,” is a professor of sociology at Boston College.
• Elizabeth Dunn professor of psychology, University of British Columbia; co-author of “Happy Money: The Science Of Happier Spending”

  Books I have enjoyed on the subject:

“Garbology, Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash”, Edward Hume

“The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”

“Creating the Not So Big House” and “The Not So Big House”,  Sarah Susanka